Die-block.



W. R. FORSYTH.

DIE BLOCK. APPLICATION FILED saw. 22, 1909.

1 076359. Patented 0011.21, 1913.

TTED STATES EATENT FFTQE,

WILLIAM It. FORSYTI-I, OF SWAMPSCOT'I, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

DIE-BLOCK.

newness.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, VILLIAM R. Fonsr'rrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented cer tain Improvements in Die-Blocks, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to die-blocks, and more particularly to sectional die-blocks comprising a plurality of parts or sections which are held together by clamping irons.

Die-blocks for use in cutting or dyingout material are usually constructed of a number of narrow parts or strips of hard wood, such as maple, and these strips have the grain of the wood arranged vertically and are bound together by suitable clamping irons disposed exteriorly of the die-block. Frequently each strip is composed of several sections so that the entire die-block is made up of a considerable number of small sections. It has, however, always been a diflicult problem to provide suitably for the natural swelling and shrinkage of the wooden sections and the consequent expansion and contraction of the die-block within the clamping irons. Any shrinkage tends to cause cracks in the surface of the die-block'and looseness between the various sections while the die-block would frequently swell enough to break the clamping irons.

Heretofore it has been customary in con-- structing such die-blocks to provide the clamping irons with suitable connecting portlons so that the irons could be adjusted andv loosened or tightened about the die-block from time to time to compensate for such Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 22, 1909.

Patented Oct, 21, 1913.

Serial No. 519,059.

tightly clamped and then operated upon, the clamping irons might be broken.

It is an object of this invention to improve and perfect die-blocks of the class described, and a particular object of the invention to provide a clamping device constructed and arranged to compensate automatically for the contraction and expansion of the dieblock.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, herein shown, one or more of the clamping members are formed of spring metal having the proper form to exert a yielding tension upon or against the sections of the die-block. When any such spring member is clamped into place contacting substantially throughout its entire length with an exterior portion of the dieblock, the inward tension incident to its spring form is considerable, and is of ceurse constant, thus automatically and instantly compensating for any expansion or contraction of the die-block sections, and maintaining the binding force of the clamping irons upon the die-block without readjustment.

Preferably the clamping irons have the usual provision for adjustment of the clamping force of the irons in addition to the automatic adjusting feature above mentioned.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, a rectangular sectional die-block and appropriate clamping irons having spring members arranged to contact with each end of the die-block are shown, but nothing herein contained is intended to limit the invention to the form of die-block or to the form, number or position of the spring members.

Other important features, combinations of parts and details of construction will hereinafter be more particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings,-Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a sectional die-block wherein a preferred form of the invention is embodied; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, in perspective, of an end portion of a die-block showing one of the spring clamping members about to be clamped in place.

In the drawings the reference character 2 indicate a plate or bed to which the dieblock may be conveniently secured. Such a plate would preferably be provided with a side members 1? and 1.8 are threaded and.

plurality of lugs, for example 3, 4 and 5,

to the die-block.

The die-block 1 is shown as formed of a plurality of strips, 10, 11, 12, etc. each strip being composed of several sections with the l grain arranged vertically, as is customary.-

This construction will be readily understood by referring to the drawings.

arranged exteriorly of the die-block; the two side members 17 and 118 being of sufiicient length to pass through suitable holes in the end members 15 and 16 as shown. To bind the clamping members together and also to provide means for adjustment of the clamping force, the projecting ends of the nuts, 20, 21, etc, are disposed thereon outside of the end members 15 and 16, so that suitable manipulation of the nuts serves to I adjust the clamping irons into desired position. Preferably, grooves are formed in the edges of the die-block so that the clamping irons will be countersunk or approximately flush with the edge surfaces of the dieblock.

In the form of die-block herein illustrated it has been found desirable to have the spring members at each end of the die-block only, accordingly the members 15 and 16 of the clamping irons are formed of spring metal and of substantially the form of the member 15 shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that as the nuts 20 and 21 are threaded onto the end portions of the members 17 and 18,

- ranged with one end to hook over the top of termed upon its end and side portions tofurnish means for attachment of said plate 3 the clamping members, and the other end to engage the lugs formed on the plate. ,A-ppropriate slots or holes in the lugs .3, 1, 5, etc., and nuts threaded onto the lower ends of the bolts are herein shown although any form of engaging devices may be employed.

When the clamping members are countersunl: into the edges of the die-block it may be desirable thatsaid members be slightly The clamping irons 15, 16, 17 and 18 are convexed as indicated at 13, and also that there shall be suitable spaces 14, inthe dieblock, to facilitate the application of the hooked ends of the securing bolts. Said spaces 14 are preferably formed on both sides of the grooves wherein the clamping members lie, as it is often desirable to reverse the position of the die-block 1 so that the bottom surface may be operated upon, or to shift the die-block end for end so as to bring different portions of the same surface into operation.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A rectangular die block comprising a plurality of sections substantially rectangular in cross-section and of material softer than the cutting die, and means for clamping said sections together constructed and arranged to keep said sections constantly under spring pressure.

2. A rectangular die block comprising a the spring members 15 will be clamped into positionin the groove provided therefor, as illustrated in Fig. 1. hen so clamped into desired position, the inward tension exerted by the spring members is considerable and is continuous, tending to force or bind the die-block sections closely together. hen the die-block contracts through shrinkage of the wood comprising any of the sections, or from any other cause, the action of the spring members automatically compensates for such contraction through their inward movement thus maintaining the clamping irons in continuous engagement with the die-block during such contraction. The members 15 and 16 being made of spring metal will also yield outwardly and thus allow for the expansion of the die-block even when said spring members are clamped home and thus practically straightened out against the die-block. However, it may be desirable to allow for such expansion by not clamping the spring members quite plurality of sections substantially rectangular in crosssection and'of material softer than the cutting die, and means for clamping said sections together comprising a spring having a bearing against one of the sides of said block and arranged to be put under tension during the clamping operation.

'8. A rectangular die'blocl: comprising a plurality of sections substantially rectangular in cross-section and of material softer than the cutting die, and means for clamping said sections together comprising a spring through which the clamping pressure of said clamping means is transmitted to said block.

4. A rectangular die block comprising a plurality of sections substantially rectangular in cross-section and of material softer than the cutting die, and elastic means for clamping said sections together.

5. A rectangular die block comprising a plurality of sections substantially rectangular in cross-section and of material softer than the cutting die, and elastic means for clamping said sections together adjustable to vary the clamping pressure.

6. A rectangular die block comprising, in

combination, a wooden block having the block constantly under pressure but having provision for expansion and contraction of said block.

7. A rectangular die block comprising, in combination, a block made up of a plurality of sections substantially rectangular in cross-section and of material softer than the cutting die, and means for yieldingly clamping said sections together arranged to exert its greatest pressure along a line through the middle of said block.

8. In a die block, a wooden block having the grain arranged Vertically, and lateral confining means for said block comprising a spring bar curved away from said block at its ends and bearing upon a side of said block in the middle line and means for bringing clamping pressure to bear upon the ends of said spring bar.

9. A rectangular die block comprising, in combination, a plurality of sections, and means for clamping said sections together comprising springs arranged to bear upon said block upon opposite sides thereof and rigid connections between said springs eX- tending along the other two sides of said block.

10. I11 a die-block comprising a plurality of sections, a plurality of clamping members arranged exteriorly of the die-block comprising rigid members and a spring member, and adjustable connections between the members to Vary the tension of the spring member.

11. In a die-block, a plurality of clamping 5 members comprising rigid members and spring members arranged alternately about the die-block, and adjustable means to connect a rigid member with a spring member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

